Eli Bell is the only son of a police chief inspector and a forensic scientist. He's grown up wonky in a world that only deals with the straight and narrow -- and his new boyfriend isn't helping. Rob Hawkes is six feet of muscle, tattoos, and arrest warrants. A career criminal and a former guest of Her Majesty's Prison Service, he'd rather hit Eli's parents than sit down to dinner with them. One wrong move, and Rob could destroy Eli -- and his family -- without a second thought. But this isn't what it looks like. Rob's not in control here -- and Eli's the one to blame.

What It Looks Like

“Rob’s not dangerous—certainly not to me!” Eli insisted. “He’s trying to support my interests and my skills, even though he’s not got the first bloody clue about art except when he thinks it looks good or it doesn’t, and he has no interest in ever going to any exhibitions I would ever magically put on, but he’s supporting me anyway! And he’s—”


“I don’t bloody care if he’s offered to buy you a yacht, Eli, the man’s nothing but a con!” Dad raged. “His record speaks for itself—how much more proof do you want than three years in prison, for God’s…”


Eli’s phone buzzed in his pocket; he worked it out with fumbling fingers, desperately trying to tune his father out before he re-enacted the other day and stormed out in a hissy fit. Thankfully, Rob’s name blinked up at him, and he slid open the message.


Guess who babe? ;) u done with diner yet?


Eli swallowed. Not yet. Another fucking row.


Eli blinked. His father was still ranting, but—how would you know?


Chapter 19